Homebrew Crucis Naturae Species Details

The morning air stung, as cool winter winds whipped through the valley. A small encampment of soldiers lay in smoldering ruins. Banners, weapons and armor sprawled about with bloodstains painting this area of forest crimson red. They had only been sent here to investigate rumors of a strange beast, but had succumbed to something much more fierce. Of all the men who fell in a single night, a lone squire remained, hiding beneath the roots of a great tree, praying to all the gods he knew. When the screams and fires died down he emerged into the misty morning and fled through the forest as fast as he could. But the sound of his armor made him more than easy to track. Within minutes of his sprint, a clawed hand caught him by the neck of his armor, and shortly following he heard the sound of armor breaking beneath raw force and felt the warmth of his own blood running down his chest. In his last moments he caught a glimpse of what had ended the short lived reconnaissance of him and his patrol...a single man, but, that couldn't be possible.

"And that was all I saw from my post in the woods. Never have I seen a human who could wipe out an entire patrol with his bare hands in a single night, leaving it in a state to be believed it was an animal attack, and never in all my time, have I seen a human bite through plate armor as if it were a fresh baked loaf. I will never go near that valley again, and I urge anyone else, army or not, to steer clear as well."

— First encounters of the Crucis Naturae, A recollection of tales told by Arendil the Ranger.

Crucis Naturae are also known as Crossbreeds, although that isn't entirely accurate, as many believe that they are the descendants of humans and animals. They are humanoids with animalistic features and traits; while they cannot change shape, they have the natural advantages of whatever animal trait or traits they posses.. Whatever their origins, Crucis Naturae have evolved into a unique race. A Crucis Naturae walks on the knife’s edge between the wilds and the world around them.

Danger of the Unknown

The Crucis Naturae are a relatively new breed of humanoids, discovered in a remote valley which has remained untouched for millennia. What could be estimated about them is they are an ancient people, although very few in number. Their total population in the entire world numbers to only a couple hundred, and they are by far the most culturally underdeveloped race, but their primitive nature bolsters the idea of modern constructs being unnecessary to their culture and people.

The Clans and Diversity

Because of how diverse their traits are, scholars have had a difficult time documenting the Crucis Naturae subraces but have finally been able to generalize them by their Two Clans and outcasts:

Sharptooth Clan members posses features and traits of predatory or carnivore-like animals, they refer to their families as packs and are known for their aggressive nature and well developed hunting techniques as well as their ferocity in combat.
Foreststrider Clan members have a very well attuned docile nature with the nature around them, they are also able to eat and process almost any type of Flora, despite being the herbivore-type they are not hunted by the Sharptooth clan, and live in relative peace alongside them.
The Feared are only a handful of rare births within the Crucis Naturae who exhibit traits of mythical and legendary creatures, because of their power and the fact their mothers are prone to death after birthing them, they are considered abnormal, even within the culture of Crucis Naturae and live separated from the other two main clans.

Potential

Although small in number, their natural abilities of being a mix of humanoid nature as well as bestial make them an almost perfect blend for either society. They are able to adapt quickly and exhibit extremely high forms of intellect and understanding, along with their raw animalistic power and attunement with nature.

There are even stories within their culture of members of their kind, leaving to explore the world outside of their valley and have apparently returned, meaning that possibly even more exist within societies outside their own.

Crucis Naturae Names

Although lacking their own writing, they are able to quickly pick up on other languages and their text. They have no surnames and refer to themselves "Of The Clan Sharptooth/Foreststrider." or simply of the "Of the Woods." The names which they choose are of a strange dialect.

Crucis Naturae Names: Canis, Lupus, Cervos, Felis, Lio, Anguis, Porcus, Draco, Avis, Bubo, Capra, Aries

Crucis Naturae Traits

Your Crucis Naturae character has the following traits.

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity and Strength Scores are increased by 1.

Age

Crucis Naturae are slow to mature physically, reaching young adulthood at age 20. They can live to be more than 110 years old.

Alignment

Crucis Naturae tend to lean toward neutrality, being more focused on survival and preservation of the clan and their people rather than ideals. Although misdeeds may be commit for the good of their people, leading towards a chaotic path.

Size

Crucis Naturae range from 5 to almost 7 feet tall, depending on their subrace. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 35 feet.

Darkvision

You have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Beast Mimicry

You have Expertise with the Nature and Survival skill.

Bestial Takeover

As a bonus action, you allow your bestial tendencies to takeover and take on a bestial hybrid appearance, retaining your humanoid figure but with more physical protrusions of your animalistic features. This transformation lasts for 1 minute, until you die, or until you revert to your normal appearance as a bonus action. While in your hybrid form, your bestial traits enable you to bite as a unarmed strike bonus action, you can deal piercing damage equal to 1d6 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.

Crucis Naturae